Weld Republicans make bad move to quell speech

What an interesting election year we’re having. The latest unexpected episode centers on the Weld County Republican Party.

Earlier this political season, Howard Dean, a strong front-runner in the Democrats’ bid for the presidency, was abruptly displaced by Sen. John Kerry.

Then, the Colorado Republican Party found itself in a state of confusion over just who would run for Colorado’s Senate seat. After a lot of shuffling, Bob Schaffer and a last-minute Peter Coors have the party still uncertain.

Now comes the odd move by Weld’s Republican leaders to keep “petition” candidates from speaking at its assembly. Specifically, it means that Weld District Attorney candidate Tom Quammen will not abe able to address today’s session.

In Colorado, candidates get on a ballot either through a caucus process within individual political parties or by petition which registered voters have signed.

The Weld GOP decree, according to party chairman Darrell Call, is to be sure privileges are not given to someone who chooses to not follow the caucus route. The assembly is part of that process.

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Quammen has decided to petition his way onto the ballot. DA candidate Ken Buck is following the more traditional route of the caucus.

Call says the move by Weld’s GOP executive committee has nothing to do with who is running to be Weld’s next DA.

But Richard Hergert, who is a GOP precinct captain and a member of Quammen’s campaign team, said that’s not what it looks like to him.

Nor does it to us.

In this day and age, perception is a paramount factor in how voters are influenced. By limiting who can be present and speak, the Weld Republicans are violating the spirit of the voting process and are giving the impression of manipulating who will be on August’s primary ballot.

In a country where we have the inherent right to speak, to assemble and to speak before an assembly, Weld’s Republican leadership looks to have turned its back on these fundamental liberties.